The season of Christmas has come and gone, and life inevitably shifts back to normal.

Think back a week or two about your day-to-day interactions of people you would meet. If you're like me, you might be on an relational rollercoaster when it comes to these interactions. I want to try to maintain a friendly, compassionate demeanor throughout the year, showing others at least some measure of the love of Jesus. Unfortunately, I find myself falling too easily from the standard of grace that Christ calls us to. It becomes work to care for strangers or coworkers who are rude or offensive, whether intentionally or not, especially if I experience these offenses more than once or twice. Fastforward from, say, October to December. The reminders of the celebration of Jesus' birth draw closer again, more visible and tangible, and it becomes easier to forgive and forget.

Why can't I let the spirit of Christ live through me year round instead of just a few weeks a year? Under our own efforts, it's impossible to consistently reflect the image of Jesus. It's when we let Him live in us and through us that we become more like Him. I'll be the first to admit that it sounds easier said than done, and it does take work for us to resist the natural temptation to love only those who love us, but Jesus showed us the way to care even for those who wrong us. "But I say to you, 'Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.'" (Matthew 5:44, NKJV).

I pray that for those of us who follow Jesus, the world around each of us sees Him reflected in us in some way every day. Have a great New Year!